Bush Hill Aug 2nd 1861

Bush Hill Aug 2nd 61 Friend John After a period

of 3 or 4 days since I wrote any lines I now Direct a few lines to you you have no doubt herd [sic] of the Battle of Manassas at which place Hammond was killed I was lucky enough to escape that dredful [sic] Battle you c [sic] have no dout [sic] herd [sic] about the battle beter [sic] than I can discribe [sic] but if I was beside you I could no dout [sic] give you some information or let you know something about those Canon [sic] Balls and [—-] they are dredful [sic] things I could stand and not Quiver when the minne [sic] Ball were flying thick and fast around my head but when them Big fellow came with the whizin [sic] it made me dodge all over there was an orderly Sergt. had his arm shot off by one of them he was not 3 feet from me and while In the ranks on the Battle field [sic] a grape passed through 2 men killing them instantly the Rebels had an awful lot killed we picked of [sic] most. All these officers they had It was surprising to see how cool our Regt was never [faltrd?] an inch but [fired?] and loaded till their guns got so Fowl. that they had to take a stone and nock [sic] the Ramrod to get the Ball down there are 3 missing in our company Hammond fought cool and Desperate he had the pluck he raised himself 3 times after he was shot our Capt said that he never see such cool pluck as he showed on the field that day and that he did not want Braver Boys than he had in his Company we Reatreated [sic] [-] [—-] and finally Reached our old camp Ground with out [sic] any Rest or anything to

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Such a worn out and Ruff, looking set you never saw we are ready anytime for an other [area?] I hope that it will turn out different than the last Did I can think of, no more at pressent [sic] Give my Respect and Love to all the Girls tell [Olive?] to answer my letters No More at Pressent [sic] I Remain Your Friend W. McKeand Direct as you did Before